Term: brainstorming

Why Brainstorming is Important in User Research

Brainstorming is a crucial tool in user research because it allows teams to:

By leveraging collective creativity, brainstorming sessions can lead to breakthrough solutions that address user needs more effectively.

Remember, the goal is to create a safe space for creativity and exploration, allowing for a wide range of potential solutions to emerge.

Mind Mapping: Create visual diagrams to explore connections between ideas
6-3-5 Brainwriting: Six people write three ideas in five minutes, then pass their sheet to the next person
SCAMPER: Use prompts (Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to another use, Eliminate, Reverse) to generate ideas
Reverse Brainstorming: Instead of solving a problem, brainstorm ways to cause it, then reverse those ideas

These techniques can help teams approach user research challenges from different angles, leading to more comprehensive and innovative solutions.

Question 1: How long should a brainstorming session last?
Answer 1: Typically, 30-60 minutes is ideal to maintain energy and focus, but it can vary based on the complexity of the problem and team size.
Question 2: How many people should participate in a brainstorming session?
Answer 2: The ideal group size is usually 5-10 people, ensuring diversity of thought without becoming unwieldy.
Question 3: Can brainstorming be done remotely for user research?
Answer 3: Yes, using digital collaboration tools like virtual whiteboards and video conferencing can facilitate effective remote brainstorming sessions.
Question 4: How do you prevent groupthink during brainstorming?
Answer 4: Encourage individual ideation before group sharing, use anonymous idea submission, and actively seek diverse perspectives to combat groupthink.

Brainstorming is a crucial tool in user research because it allows teams to:

By leveraging collective creativity, brainstorming sessions can lead to breakthrough solutions that address user needs more effectively.

Remember, the goal is to create a safe space for creativity and exploration, allowing for a wide range of potential solutions to emerge.

Mind Mapping: Create visual diagrams to explore connections between ideas
6-3-5 Brainwriting: Six people write three ideas in five minutes, then pass their sheet to the next person
SCAMPER: Use prompts (Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to another use, Eliminate, Reverse) to generate ideas
Reverse Brainstorming: Instead of solving a problem, brainstorm ways to cause it, then reverse those ideas

These techniques can help teams approach user research challenges from different angles, leading to more comprehensive and innovative solutions.

Question 1: How long should a brainstorming session last?
Answer 1: Typically, 30-60 minutes is ideal to maintain energy and focus, but it can vary based on the complexity of the problem and team size.
Question 2: How many people should participate in a brainstorming session?
Answer 2: The ideal group size is usually 5-10 people, ensuring diversity of thought without becoming unwieldy.
Question 3: Can brainstorming be done remotely for user research?
Answer 3: Yes, using digital collaboration tools like virtual whiteboards and video conferencing can facilitate effective remote brainstorming sessions.
Question 4: How do you prevent groupthink during brainstorming?
Answer 4: Encourage individual ideation before group sharing, use anonymous idea submission, and actively seek diverse perspectives to combat groupthink.